Homestead National Monument of America National Park Quarter26th in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program

The Homestead act of 1862 was one of the most significant and enduring events in the westward expansion of the United States. By granting 160 acres of free land to claimants, it allowed nearly any man or woman a "fair chance." The Homestead National Monument of America, located in Southeast Nebraska, commemorates this Act and the far-reaching effects it had upon the landscape and people. To honor those homesteaders the reverse of this coin depicts the three fundamentals of survival common to them: food, shelter, and water.

How can you make something better than the 50 State Quarter Program? Here's how!
There were many reasons for the success of the State Quarter program in 1999. The top two - the design (each state had their own theme) and the limited production, they were each only being struck for less than 11 weeks. In 2010, it got better. Taking a page from the success referenced above, the US Mint will be issuing a New Series: "The America the Beautiful Quarters." But this one will have a twist. There will be one quarter per state, just like the 50 State Program, but the design will be based on one of the National Parks located in each state. The order will be based on when they were introduced as a National Treasure.

But the kicker is distribution. Unlike the 50 State Quarter program, where Congress forced the Mint to distribute the quarters to the local markets (and even then many of us didn't see but a few of the releases) this new program does NOT have to be released into the same flow of commerce. What does that mean? Well in 2009 the Mint released 6 special quarters for the six US Protectorate Territories... adding them to the 50 State Quarter Program. Have you seen them in circulation? And if so, more than a couple? That is the new distribution system.